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Does Your Child Need Meningococcal Vaccination Before Heading to
Summer Camp or Other Summer Activities?
Summer should be a fun-filled, carefree time for children. Before they head off to camp or other
summer activities, it’s important to make sure that they have been vaccinated against
meningococcal meningitis. This infection is rare, but very severe, and the risk of getting it
increases during the teen and young adult years.
One type of vaccine, called the quadrivalent vaccine, protects against four types of
meningococcal bacteria (serogroups A, C, W, and Y). This vaccine is recommended for all US
adolescents at age 11-12 years, with a booster dose at age 16 years.
Vaccines that protect against serogroup B are recommended for certain people at high risk of
infection, including college students during meningitis outbreaks. Serogroup B vaccination may
also be recommended by healthcare professionals for individuals age 16-23 years, with a
preferred age of 16-18 years.
About meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease kills one in 10 individuals who get it, even if they receive rapid treatment. Up
to two in 10 survivors have a permanent disability such as brain damage, kidney damage, hearing
loss, and limb amputations
Health officials believe the increased risk in adolescents and young adults is connected to
activities, such as living in a dormitory or boarding school, or participating on sports teams, that
put them in long-term, close contact with others who may carry the deadly bacteria. Most
individuals who come in contact with the bacteria will not get sick, but some will carry it in their
throats and can pass it on to others. That's why it's not enough to simply avoid individuals who
are sick. Bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are spread more easily in close-contact
environments or by direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat of an infected person,
e.g., through coughing, sneezing, or kissing.
More information is available from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)
NFID, an independent non-profit organization, strongly encourages parents to have their children
vaccinated in accordance with CDC recommendations.
“Immunization is the most effective way to prevent meningococcal disease among adolescents and
young adults," says NFID Medical Director, William Schaffner, MD. “The summer months can be a
busy time for families. But it is important to ensure your children are up-to-date on their
immunizations, particularly before they attend sleepaway camp.”
Help ensure that your children start the summer fully protected! Please contact us for more
information or to schedule a vaccination appointment if your child is not up-to-date on all
recommended vaccines. For more information on vaccines recommended for adolescents, visit
adolescentvaccination.org.
July 2015